Act Like an Owner — How Culture Really Gets Built
The Executive Edge
Episode 227 Released February 19, 2026 With Greg Hawks, Corporate Culture Specialist What if the problem with employee engagement isn't the disengaged — it's the people you've been tolerating? That's the starting point for this week's conversation with Greg Hawks, corporate culture specialist, keynote speaker, and author of Act Like an Owner: Five Unlocks for Creating Culture People Love and Results People Need. Greg has spent 15 years helping organisations build environments where people genuinely buy in — and his framework is built around three types of employee. Owners, Renters,...
info_outline
Developing a Future-Ready Mindset with Allister Frost
The Executive Edge
Episode 226 Released February 5, 2026 In this episode, Sue Firth talks with about why cultivating a future-ready mindset is essential for leaders navigating constant change—and how to do it without feeling overwhelmed. About Allister Frost Allister spent ten years in traditional manufacturing before joining Microsoft, where Bill Gates' philosophy—"If it works, it's obsolete"—transformed his thinking about innovation. For the past 15 years, he has worked as a consultant, speaker and coach, helping individuals and organisations thrive amid relentless transformation. His mission: to...
info_outline
The Leadership We Need - with Maria Brinck
The Executive Edge
Episode 225 Released January 22, 2026 Episode Overview In this episode, I'm joined by , leadership consultant, public speaker, and author of The Leadership We Need. Maria shares her remarkable journey from corporate America to the rainforests of Cameroon, and explains why the leadership models we've relied upon for generations are no longer fit for purpose. This is an essential conversation for any leader ready to challenge conventional thinking and create meaningful, lasting change. About Maria Brinck Maria Brinck is the founder of Zynergy International and a certified StrengthsFinder...
info_outline
Selling Your Business: What Nobody Tells You About Letting Go
The Executive Edge
Episode 224 Released January 8, 2026 This week I’m joined by , a fellow Vistage member who’s been on quite a journey – from building a manufacturing business with his brother over nearly two decades, through its sale, to running a funeral director businesses in Kent. through acquisitions, post-acquisition challenges, and the transition out of businesses. What struck me most was James’s honesty about the emotional reality of selling a business. We hear the success stories – the champagne corks, the celebration – but rarely what comes next. James opens up about what he...
info_outline
Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communication
The Executive Edge
Episode 223 Released December 11, 2025 Guest: Alejandra Ramirez, Founder of Ready Cultures Episode Overview In this episode, Sue is joined by Alejandra Ramirez, an internal communications specialist with nearly 20 years of experience helping service-driven businesses shape their culture from the inside out. Together, they explore why so many organisations struggle to turn their values into lived reality—and what leaders can do about it. The Culture Gap We've all seen it: values proudly displayed on office walls that bear little resemblance to how things actually work day-to-day....
info_outline
Leading with Emotional Intelligence
The Executive Edge
Episode 222 Released November 27, 2025 Audio Quality Note Please note: Due to technical difficulties with the host's microphone during recording, Sue's audio quality is below our usual standard. We've chosen to release this episode despite these challenges because the conversation offers valuable insights that we believe are too important to delay. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Episode Overview In this conversation, Swedish-born CEO and leadership coach Andreas Pettersson shares his transformative approach to leadership that prioritizes emotional intelligence,...
info_outline
Turning Adversity Into Leadership – with Ted Santos
The Executive Edge
Episode 221 Released November 13, 2025 Guest: Ted Santos, Business Strategist and Founder of Turnaround Investment Partners ----- In this episode, I sat down with Ted Santos, a business strategist who has pioneered a disruptive leadership model that challenges how executives think about change, adversity, and organisational transformation. Ted’s approach isn’t just theoretical – it’s forged from personal experience that would break most people. The Power of Early Adversity Ted’s story begins with tragedy. At just 21, he lost his mother and found himself responsible for his younger...
info_outline
Building Your Resilience Plan – with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier
The Executive Edge
Episode 220 Released 2025-10-30 Building Your Resilience Plan with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier Guest: Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Workplace Mental Health Expert, Psychologist, and Speaker If you're a busy, I suspect you've already spotted yourself in this scenario: demands are increasing, deadlines are looming, and your natural response is to lean in harder, work longer hours, and push through with the same tools that have got you here. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier to unpack why this instinct—whilst understandable—is precisely what leads...
info_outline
Mastering Salary Negotiation with John Gates
The Executive Edge
Episode 219 Released 2025-10-16 Guest: John Gates, Founder of Salary Coach Episode Summary I sit down with veteran recruiter , who shares over 30 years of insider knowledge on salary negotiation. With 75,000+ job offers under his belt, John reveals why 80% of people don't negotiate at all—and how much money they're leaving on the table. This episode is packed with practical techniques you can use immediately to maximize your compensation. Key Takeaways Why People Don't Negotiate Fear of losing the opportunity trumps everything else Most people lowball themselves at the first pay...
info_outline
Grasping Confidence with Tara Lafon Gooch
The Executive Edge
Episode 218 Released 2025-10-02 Episode Overview In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth sits down with confidence coach and entrepreneur to discuss building authentic confidence, personal branding, and the transformative power of gratitude. Tara shares her journey from corporate burnout to becoming a TEDx speaker, author, and CEO, offering practical strategies for anyone looking to step into their power and purpose. Key Topics Discussed From Corporate Success to Personal Fulfillment Tara's 2022 turning point as a corporate sales director The difference between external success...
info_outlineEpisode 214
Released: July 10, 2025
The Story
Freddie Rostand's wife Liz has MS and was declining rapidly - could barely walk ¾ mile before collapse. Traditional medicine offered little hope, according to Freddie. An Australian journalist friend shared how bovine colostrum got his wheelchair-bound wife walking again. Within weeks, Liz could walk miles and her life transformed.
What is Colostrum?
- First milk produced after birth, known as "liquid gold"
- Contains 400+ bioactive ingredients
- Acts like an "operating system" for biological processes
- Used for 5,000+ years in traditional medicine
- Farmers have always known its importance - calves die without it
The Science
Gut Health Foundation: 80% of immune system is in the gut. Modern processed foods damage gut lining, causing "leaky gut" and autoimmune disorders.
How Colostrum Works: Contains peptides that allegedly regulate immune system's three stages:
- Activate immune response
- Target specific threats
- Turn off when job done (critical - autoimmune disorders happen when this fails)
Key Benefits, according to Freddie
- Autoimmune conditions: Resets immune system, stops body attacking itself
- Gut health: Repairs damaged gut lining
- Anti-aging: Boosts stem cells, repairs DNA/RNA, supports thymus gland
- Athletic performance: Used by elite athletes (Olympic-approved)
- Mood & brain: Stimulates feel-good chemicals and brain growth factors
Product Details
- Source: Bovine colostrum (surplus only - calves get what they need)
- Processing: Freeze-dried to preserve bioactive compounds
- Form: Capsules (better gut penetration than powder)
- Dosage: 2 capsules daily
- Cost: ~£55 for 2 months (less than £1/day)
Company: IG Bioscience
- IG Bioscience was founded by Freddie & Liz
- Growth through word of mouth
- Also make a pet version: "Run Free" by Bella's Apothecary
Key Takeaways
- Modern food is damaging our guts and immune systems
- Colostrum offers natural way to reset and maintain health
- Continuous use recommended (aging is ongoing process)
- Extensive research backing (hundreds of thousands of studies)
- Safe for all ages, including babies (add to formula)
Bottom Line: Ancient wisdom backed by modern science - colostrum addresses fundamental biological processes rather than just treating symptoms.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This podcast content is for informational and educational purposes only. The information shared is not medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. The guest is not a medical doctor, and the experiences shared are personal anecdotes, not clinical recommendations.
Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have existing health conditions, are taking medications, or are pregnant or nursing. Individual results may vary, and what works for one person may not work for another.
The hosts and guests make no claims about curing, treating, or preventing any disease. This content does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice of any kind.